He eventually gave the agency the camera after he was blocked from selling it to raise money for medical bills for his son Adam, 26, who died from cancer in 2010.

According to the Times, the head of Nasa has intervened to settle the conflict after the spacemen accused the organisation of questioning their integrity.

Charlie Bolden, Nasa administrator and a former space shuttle commander, said: "These are American heroes, fellow astronauts and personal friends who have acted in good faith and we have committed to work together to find the right policy and legal paths forward to address outstanding ownership questions."

Among the other souvenirs that could be affected are a spacecraft joystick and commemorative plaque from Apollo 9, which have been in the possession of lunar pilot Rusty Schweickart, 76, since 1969.